City of Toronto
National Crime Prevention Strategy
The mission of CMMS is to assist members of the African/Canadian community in Toronto by resolving disputes in major African languages: Patois and English through trained mediators in order to help restore, repair, and build damaged relationships in the community.
CMMS focus its conflict resolution service towards the following areas of dispute:1. Neighbourhood Conflicts such as: 2. Landlord/Tenant Problems
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3. Family Conflicts 4. Friendship Disputes 5. Workplace Disputes 6. Teen-Adult problems
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It is a process of resolving conflicts between individuals or groups that use the resources of a third party (mediator) who is neutral and trained in the process of mediation and problem solving.
Having a disagreement with a neighbour, peers, roommate, friend, spouse, parents, siblings, co-worker or business partner can make an individual confused, afraid, unsecured, lose self esteem and angry. Sometimes, a small conflict can get worse, if not dealt with, whether domestic or otherwise.
Mediation is further seen as a voluntary meeting between the parties involved in a conflict where trained community volunteer mediators help the disputants resolve the conflict in such a way that is safe, fair and satisfactory for both parties. Alternative dispute resolution is both new and old. According to Mark Bennett and Michelle Herman: “it is a recent and explosively growing movement which seeks to reduce litigation, increase participants’ satisfactions, and control court congestion”. Many elements of modern ADR methods, however, have roots in ancient traditions of problem solving valued for centuries in a variety of cultures throughout this country and around the world. Since 90% of cases filed in courts can be predicted to settle, while less than 10% proceed to trial; negotiation is by far the most pervasive dispute resolution process. Therefore, in mediation, the mediators do not make a decision but help the parties promote the use of constructive problem solving skills through a structured process, which has been developed to enhance their ability to achieve a resolution, which is fair, satisfying and durable.
WHY MEDIATION?Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and especially mediation, is becoming the option of choice for managing conflicts in homes, organizations, faith organizations, workplaces, businesses and communities. Conflicts affect relationships. People get angry and frustrated when their relationships fail. “Miscommunication leads to wrong assumption and entrenched positions. People need help to break the cycle of escalation that often sets in”. Litigating conflicts cost people money and time. Therefore, our community mediation model helps people restore, repair and build damaged relationships.
Refugee And Newcomer Immigrants:
A range of educational and mentoring activities to help new immigrants and members of the African/ Canadian community integrate into the Canadian society are provided as follows:
Education on how to blend their culture, language religion into the Canadian context. Education on how to prevent family violence and crisis. Social assistance and welfare support services Provision of information and referrals on issues such as legal assistance, community development services/programs, etc. Provision of interpretation services in English, French and major African languages and translation of all necessary documents for refugee determination hearing. Assistance with completing all necessary forms pertaining to refugee claims, sponsorship and landing.
COUNSELLING SERVICESCounseling services are offered in the following areas
Counseling aimed at reducing anger and violent confrontations Youth/Youth Relationships Parent/Youth Relationships Spousal Relationships Youth /School Relationship
YOUTH PROGRAMSCMMS organizes youth support services in the following areas:
Violence and Crisis Attendance at schools/ drop out Gang related issues Conflict Resolution/ Training Issues with the law AIDS Awareness/ Drug Abuse Prevention Anger Management Employment Skills Youth Sports and Recreation Program Volunteer opportunities within their communities.